Basin such as a swimming pool comprising a submerged cover such as a roller shutter

Abstract

Basin, such as a swimming pool comprising a submerged deployable cover of the roller shutter type. The invention relates to a basin, such as a swimming pool comprising at least one bottom (7), two end walls (8, 9) and two longitudinal walls (10, 11) and comprising a submerged deployable cover (2) of the roller shutter type (3) comprising a curtain (4) adapted to wind around a winding tube (13) extending between the longitudinal walls (10, 11) near one (8) of the end walls (8, 9) and the bottom (7) of the basin (1).Advantageously, in the wound state the section (S) of the roller shutter (3) is located: - at a distance (D1) less than 150mm from the bottom (7) of the basin (1), - at a distance (D2) less than 150mm from said end wall (8) of the basin (1); - at a distance (D3) less than or equal to 150mm from a platform (14) located horizontally above the winding tube (13) extending between the longitudinal walls (10, 11) of the basin (1); said platform (14) delimiting, with respect to said end wall (8) of the basin (1), a slot (15) with a width (l) less than 100mm.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of basins, and more particularly to swimming pools, whether in-ground or above-ground, of the masonry, wooden, composite, or other material type. More specifically, the invention relates to basins such as swimming pools equipped with a submerged roller shutter cover.

[0002] We already know of many basins, particularly swimming pools, which, for reasons of safety or even to preserve the water temperature, receive a cover, depending on the case, rigid and retractable or flexible and foldable, most often rolled up around a winding tube.

[0003] In the field of roller pool covers, above-ground or submerged roller shutters are particularly well-known. These consist of a curtain made up of a series of slats connected by hinges, allowing the curtain to be folded, rolled up around a roller tube, or extended, floating above the water in the pool. Examples of such roller pool covers are listed under FR 3 115 060 A1 and AT 521 458 A4.

[0004] In an above-ground configuration, the winding tube of this roller shutter extends above the pool, most often at one of its lateral ends, being kept free to rotate at its ends by means of bearings fitted to support brackets anchored to this lateral end of the pool, on either side of it.

[0005] Even though such an above-ground roller shutter can be integrated under a bench at this lateral end of the pool, the submerged roller shutter is very often preferred, although it has other disadvantages.

[0006] Among these submerged roller shutters, the most well-known is the one installed under a deck extending above the water at one of the pool's lateral ends. In this case, the roller shutter's winding tube extends underwater between the pool's longitudinal walls, in a compartment separated from the main pool by a partition. Depending on the situation, this partition wall should be built during the pool's design phase. It can also take the form of a synthetic panel designed to subdivide the pool by extending between its longitudinal sides, to which this panel is attached using appropriate profiles.

[0007] It is understood that, depending on the solution adopted, the design of the swimming pool is complicated or the risks of water leakage are increased by the installation, on the longitudinal sides inside the pool, of the fixing profiles of a panel added subsequently.

[0008] In all cases, debris such as dead leaves inevitably accumulates at the bottom of this separate compartment, which houses the roller shutter curtain in its rolled-up position. This debris is difficult to remove. Indeed, to remove this debris, it is usually necessary to remove the ledge beneath which the roller shutter is installed, and the curtain itself must be brought into the extended position. However, accessing the area under the roller shutter's winding tube is not easy for removing or vacuuming this waste. Similarly, dismantling a synthetic material panel to access the area under the roller shutter can only be considered after largely draining the pool.

[0009] It is also common practice to house this roller shutter in a casing installed at the bottom of the pool or at a shallower depth, thus creating a submerged area at one end of the pool. In both cases, this casing has at least one vertical front wall extending approximately to the bottom of the pool, at a specific distance from the side wall at that end of the pool, in order to define a volume within which the roller shutter can retract, rolled up around the winding tube. This casing is closed at the top by a lid with a slot for the roller shutter curtain to pass through, allowing it to be deployed above the water in the pool. While it is possible to stand on this lid when the casing is installed at the bottom of the pool, when installed at a shallower depth this lid can create a submerged area where bathers can lie down or sit.

[0010] Debris can, once again, accumulate inside such a container, debris which, if not regularly removed, can lead to an increased development of microorganisms in the basin, making water treatment more difficult.

[0011] The purpose of installing the submerged roller shutter in a compartment separate from the main pool or in a closed box is to prevent a pool user from getting stuck under the roller shutter.

[0012] Depending on the country, certain standards are applicable in this matter, standards determining a maximum passage section preserved, for example, under a separating wall made of synthetic material or under the front wall of a box and the bottom of the pool or at the level of a passage slot of the roller shutter curtain that is present in the cover of an immersed box.

[0013] As part of an inventive approach, a solution was sought that would: to facilitate the natural evacuation of debris that may accumulate under an immersed roller shutter, while avoiding encapsulating the latter, whether in a dedicated compartment in the pool or in a box, at the same time addressing the risk that a user could be trapped at the bottom of the pool around this immersed roller shutter.

[0014] As part of this inventive approach, the two states of the roller shutter—folded and unfolded—were taken into account. In the unfolded state, the roller shutter curtain floats above the water in the pool, forming a protective barrier that prevents any falls into the water. Consequently, any risk of a bather becoming entangled under or around the winding tube submerged at the bottom of the pool is eliminated. Therefore, it is only in the folded state, wound around the winding tube, that this risk of snagging and / or jamming must be prevented.

[0015] The invention addresses all of these objectives. To this end, the invention consists of a basin, such as a swimming pool, comprising at least one bottom, two end walls, and two longitudinal walls, and including a submerged deployable cover of the roller shutter type, comprising a curtain composed of a juxtaposition of articulated slats and a winding tube to which one end of the roller shutter curtain is attached so that it winds around said winding tube or, when deployed, extends above the water contained in the basin, said winding tube extending between the longitudinal walls near one of the end walls and the bottom of the basin, characterized in that, when wound around the winding tube, the cross-section of the roller shutter is located: at a distance of less than 150mm, preferably less than or equal to 100mm and greater than a minimum functional value of 30mm from the bottom of the basin: at a distance of less than 150mm, preferably less than or equal to 100mm and greater than a minimum functional value of 30mm from said end wall of the basin: at a distance of less than or equal to 150mm, preferably less than or equal to 100mm and greater than a minimum functional value of 30mm from a platform installed horizontally above the winding tube extending between the longitudinal walls of the basin; said platform delimiting, in relation to said end wall of the basin, a slot of a width of less than 100mm, preferably less than 80mm.According to the invention, said platform is defined by an inverted U-shaped structural beam comprising an upper wall, more particularly horizontal, on the longitudinal edges of which extend vertical wings, a first wing of which delimits with said end wall the slot for the passage of the roller shutter curtain and an opposite wing, at least the lower end edge of the opposite wing respects a distance less than or equal to 150mm, preferably less than or equal to 100mm and greater than a minimum functional value of 30mm with respect to the section of the rolled-up roller shutter curtain.

[0016] The advantages arising from the present invention consist in the fact that the roller shutter in the rolled-up state and immersed at the bottom of the basin is no longer encapsulated in a dedicated housing so that the circulation of the water, in particular generated by the filtration, can be established around this roller shutter when it is rolled up, but also in the deployed state avoiding a certain stagnation of the water as can occur in a box, for example.

[0017] In other words, the present invention makes it possible to do without any element, such as for example a wall, a panel or a beam, placed near the section of the roller shutter in the direction of the opposite end wall and separating the roller shutter (in the wound state around the winding tube) from the rest of the pool.

[0018] In other words, the pool may include a free space delimited between the two longitudinal walls and between the roller shutter section and the opposite end wall over a distance greater than or equal to 1 meter from the roller shutter section in the direction of said opposite end wall.

[0019] In the fully or partially deployed state of the roller shutter curtain, a cleaning robot can easily pass under the winding tube to remove any debris that may remain at the bottom of the pool in the area occupied by the roller shutter when folded.

[0020] Thanks to a particular arrangement, according to the invention, the risks of blocking or snagging around the roller shutter in the rolled-up state are likely to be avoided, whether under this roller shutter, between the latter and the end wall against which it is installed or under the platform thanks to a limited distance between the latter and the section of the rolled-up roller shutter.

[0021] Consequently, the present invention cleverly and economically remedies the constraints arising from prior art solutions.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the following description relating to an example of an embodiment given by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0023] Understanding this description will be facilitated by referring to the figures in the appendix, in which: [ Fig.1 ] is a schematic and perspective representation of a swimming pool-type basin, according to the invention, equipped with a submerged roller shutter shown in its rolled-up state; Fig.2 ] is a schematic and perspective representation of the same basin, with the roller shutter curtain deployed; [ Fig.3 ] is a partial schematic cross-sectional illustration of the pool showing the dimensions of the roller shutter when rolled up, relative to the pool bottom, the end wall, and the platform; Fig.4 ] is a schematic, partial and perspective representation of one end of the winding tube and the platform above it fixed to one of the longitudinal walls, in front of an end wall of the basin.

[0024] The invention as represented, in particular in the figures 1 et 2 , concerns a basin 1, in particular a swimming pool equipped with a deployable cover 2 of the submerged type in the form of a roller shutter 3.

[0025] This includes a deck 4 composed of a juxtaposition of blades 5 articulated together, allowing this deck 4 to occupy a folded position 12 described below and a deployed position 6 in which it extends, floating, above the water contained in the basin 1, as seen in the figure 2 .

[0026] The basin 2 conventionally comprises at least one bottom 7, end walls 8, 9 and two substantially longitudinal walls 10, 11. Thanks to the joints between the blades 5, this deck 4 can also occupy a folded position 12, visible in the figure 1 in which it is wound around a winding tube 13 generally driven in rotation through a motor (not shown) disposed, as the case may be, outside the basin or, directly, in the winding tube 13.

[0027] The winding tube 13 is installed near the bottom 7 of the basin 1 and one 8 of its end walls 8, 9. Preferably, the winding tube 13 extends parallel to this end wall 8 while being fixed at its ends in a rotationally free manner to the longitudinal walls 11, 12, by means of support bearings.

[0028] According to the invention, in its folded position 12, i.e., with the curtain 4 wound around the winding shaft 13, the roller shutter 3 has a section S located at a distance D1 from the bottom 7 of the basin 1 of less than 150 mm, preferably less than or equal to 100 mm, this distance D1 being, however, greater than a minimum functional value of 30 mm. Preferably, D1 is greater than 40 mm, more particularly 45 mm. Advantageously, this distance D1 is between 100 mm and 45 mm from the bottom 7 of the basin 1.

[0029] Furthermore, in this folded position 12, that is, with the curtain 4 wound around the winding shaft 13, this section S of the roller shutter 3 is located, relative to the end wall 8 of the basin 1, at a distance D2 of less than 150 mm, preferably less than or equal to 100 mm, more particularly less than 70 mm, advantageously around 60 mm, this distance D2 being, however, greater than a minimum functional value of 30 mm. Preferably, D2 is greater than 40 mm, more particularly 45 mm. Advantageously, this distance D2 is between 70 mm and 45 mm relative to the end wall 8 of the basin 1.

[0030] According to the invention, in this folded position 12, that is, when the curtain 4 is wound around the winding shaft 13, the section S of the roller shutter 3 is located at a distance D3 less than or equal to 150 mm, preferably less than or equal to 100 mm, relative to a platform 14 mounted horizontally above the winding tube 13, extending between the longitudinal walls 10, 11 of the basin 1. This distance D3 is, however, greater than a minimum functional value of 30 mm. Preferably, this distance D3 corresponds to a functional value between 30 mm and 60 mm. Advantageously, it is on the order of 40 mm.

[0031] These distances D1, D2, D3 are determined with respect to a winding section S of the curtain 4 of the roller shutter 3 around the winding shaft 13. However, since this curtain 4 cannot be considered a fabric because it is composed of slats 5 of varying widths, articulated with each other, this winding section S can adopt a minimum value Sm or a maximum value SM, which can also take into account the deformation tolerance of the winding shaft 13. Such a winding shaft 13 usually having lengths of around 4m or more, the deflection described in the central part can be several millimeters.

[0032] Also, according to the invention these distances D1, D2, D3 can be determined, as appropriate, in relation to a winding section S equal to a minimum value Sm or a maximum value SM, or even to a nominal value SN determined theoretically or corresponding to an average value (Sm+SM) / 2.

[0033] According to yet another feature of the invention, the platform 14 defines, with respect to the end wall 8, on the side of the basin 1 where the roller shutter 3 is installed, a slot 15 with a width I of less than 100 mm, preferably less than 80 mm, advantageously on the order of 70 mm. The curtain 4 of the roller shutter 3 is deployed through this slot 15. This slot 15 helps guide the free end 16, opposite the end 17 which is fixed to the winding shaft 13, of this curtain 4 so that it can ascend along said end wall 8 until it reaches the surface of the water contained in the basin 1, and then extend progressively above this water surface from said end wall 8 towards the opposite end wall 9.

[0034] According to the invention, said platform 14 is defined by an inverted U-shaped beam 18 comprising an upper wall 19, preferably flat and horizontal, from whose longitudinal edges extend vertical wings 20, 21, a first wing 20 delimiting with said end wall 8 the slot 15 for the passage of the curtain 4 of the roller shutter 3, and an opposing wing 21. At least the lower end edge 22 of this opposing wing 21 maintains a distance D3 less than or equal to 150 mm, preferably less than or equal to 100 mm, from the winding section S of the roller shutter 3, the curtain 4 in the wound state. Preferably, this distance D3 corresponds to a functional value between 30 mm and 60 mm. Advantageously, it is on the order of 40 mm.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the first wing 20 has a height H1 greater than the height H2 of the opposite wing 21, which has the advantage of increasing the guide height of the deck 4 through the slot 15, not to mention that it results in better inertia to the deformation of this beam 18 defining the platform 14.

[0036] As for the width L of the beam 18 corresponding to this platform 14, it is at least 150 mm. Preferably, it is at least equal to half the rolled section S of the roller shutter 3. Even more preferably, it is at least equal to half the rolled section S of the roller shutter 3 but less than the rolled section S of the roller shutter 3.

[0037] Advantageously, the width L of the beam 18 is determined, taking into account the width I of the slot 15, so that the opposite vertical wing 21, on the side of pool 1, is located at a distance D4 from the end wall 8 at least equal to the distance Dm separating the end wall 8 from the vertical longitudinal median plane P of the winding tube 13. The advantage of this feature is that a bather can only stand on the upper quarter 23 located on the side of pool 1 of the rolled-up roller shutter 3. They will naturally slide towards pool 1 and not between the rolled-up roller shutter 1 and the beam 18, under the lower edge of the opposite wing 21.

[0038] As for the length Lp of the beam 18 forming the platform 14, it will preferably be less than the width of the pool Lb between the longitudinal walls 10 and 11 at the height of the end wall 8 corresponding to the side where the roller shutter 3 is located, to facilitate the installation of this beam 18. In particular, the length Lp of this beam 18 is equal to said width Lb less twice a functional clearance j between this beam 18 and said longitudinal walls. This functional clearance j is advantageously less than 10 mm, preferably between 7 mm and 4 mm.

[0039] At its ends 24, this beam 18 is attached to the longitudinal walls 10, 11 by means of suitable fixing means 25 which can be directly associated with this beam 18. However, these fixing means 25 are advantageously defined by support brackets 26, for example in the form of a right angle, which can be attached to the said longitudinal walls 10, 11, independently of the beam 18. The latter then fits into and / or rests on these support brackets 26 to be secured by suitable fastening means, such as screws and / or rivets.

[0040] It should be noted that the beam 18 forming the platform 14 can be designed in a tubular shape, more particularly in a rectangular parallelepiped section, without the invention being limited to such a profile shape.

[0041] Advantageously, at least the edges of this beam 18 at the longitudinal edges of the upper wall 19 and at the lower end edge 22 of the opposite flange 21 have a radius of at least 1 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 2 mm to avoid any risk of cuts or injuries. Advantageously, each of the edges defined by this beam 18 are thus rounded.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the basin includes a free space delimited between the two longitudinal walls 10, 11 and between the section S of the roller shutter 3 and the opposite end wall 9 over a distance greater than or equal to 1 meter from the section S of the roller shutter 3 in the direction of said opposite end wall 9.

[0043] The advantage of the present invention lies in its solution to all the problems associated with submerged roller shutter-type pool covers. Not only does the design according to the invention eliminate the need to house the roller shutter in a dedicated compartment or casing, thus simplifying the overall design of the pool, but it also greatly reduces the risk of dirt accumulation and makes removal easy.

Claims

1. Pool, such as a swimming pool, comprising at least one bottom (7), two end walls (8, 9), and two longitudinal walls (10, 11) and having a submerged deployable cover (2) of the roller shutter (3) type having an apron (4) composed of a juxtaposition of slats (5) interconnected in an articulated manner and a winding tube (13) to which one (17) of the ends of the apron (4) of the roller shutter (3) is rigidly connected in order to be wound around said winding tube (13) or from which said apron is deployed in order to extend above the water contained in the pool (1), said winding tube (13) extending between the longitudinal walls (10, 11) near one (8) of the end walls (8, 9) and the bottom (7) of the pool (1), characterized in that, in the folded-away position (12) of the apron (4), wound around the winding tube (13), the section (S) of the roller shutter (3) is located: - at a distance (D1) of less than 150 mm, preferentially less than or equal to 100 mm and greater than a minimum functional value of 30 mm from the bottom (7) of the pool (1); - at a distance (D2) of less than 150 mm, preferentially less than or equal to 100 mm and greater than a minimum functional value of 30 mm from said end wall (8) of the pool (1); - at a distance (D3) of less than or equal to 150 mm, preferentially less than or equal to 100 mm and greater than a minimum functional value of 30 mm from a platform (14) installed horizontally above the winding tube (13) and extending between the longitudinal walls (10, 11) of the pool (1); said platform (14): - delimiting, with respect to said end wall (8) of the pool (1), a slot (15) of a width (I) of less than 100 mm, preferentially less than 80 mm; and - being defined by a structural beam (18) in the shape of an inverted U, having an upper wall (19) on the longitudinal edges of which extend vertical flanges (20, 21) of which a first flange (20) delimits, with said end wall (8), the slot (15) for the passage of the apron (4) of the roller shutter (3) and an opposite flange (21), at least the lower end edge (22) of this opposite flange (21), respects the distance (D3) from the wound section (S) of the apron (4) of the roller shutter (3) around the winding tube (13).

2. Pool, such as a swimming pool, according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the distance the distance (D1) is between 100 mm and 45 mm; - and / or the distance (D2) is less than 70 mm and greater than 40 mm; - and / or the distance (D3) corresponds to a functional value between 30 mm and 60 mm; - the slot (15) has a width (I) of less than 80 mm.

3. Pool, such as a swimming pool, according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height (H1) of the first flange (20) is greater than the height (H2) of the opposite flange (21).

4. Pool, such as a swimming pool, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width (L) of the beam (18) corresponding to the platform (14) is at least 150 mm.

5. Pool, such as a swimming pool, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said width (L) of the beam (18) is determined, taking into account the width (I) of the slot (15), such that the opposite vertical flange (21) is located at a distance (D4) from the end wall (8) at least equal to the distance (Dm) separating the end wall (8) from the vertical longitudinal median plane (P) of the winding tube (13).

6. Pool, such as a swimming pool, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beam (18) has a length (Lp) equal to the pool width (Lb) between the longitudinal walls (10, 11) at the end wall (8) corresponding to the side on which the roller shutter (3) is installed, minus twice a functional clearance (j) of less than 10 mm, preferentially between 7 mm and 4 mm.

7. Pool, such as a swimming pool, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beam (18) is attached at its ends (24) to the longitudinal walls (10, 11) by fastening means (25).

8. Pool, such as a swimming pool, according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening means are defined by support brackets (26) on which the ends (24) of the beam (18) fit and / or rest in order to be rigidly connected thereto by suitable connecting means, such as screws and / or rivets.

9. Pool, such as a swimming pool, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the edges of the beam (18) at the longitudinal edges of the upper wall (19) and at the lower end edge (22) of the opposite flange (21) have a radius of at least 1 mm, preferentially greater than or equal to 2 mm.

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